X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Second-Year Receivers Ready to Break Out in 2021

Jerry Jeudy - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, Draft Sleepers

Chris Mangano identifies five second-year wide receivers who will break out in 2021 for fantasy football purposes.

There used to be a widely-held belief in the fantasy football community that wide receivers broke out in their third pro season. While the third-year breakout does happen, more and more wide receivers are breaking out in their second season. Others, like Justin Jefferson, don't even wait a year.

Finding these wide receivers can potentially win you a fantasy championship because they often don’t get drafted as highly as veteran wide receivers who have produced multiple strong seasons.

So, which wide receivers are poised for a second-year breakout in 2021 and how do we find them? Let's take a look.

Editor's Note: Discover RotoBaller’s top Fantasy Football Sleepers to gain an edge in your drafts. Our free who to draft tool and expert picks spotlight undervalued players, breakout candidates, and late-round gems for all league formats.

 

What To Look For In Second-Year Breakouts

First, we want to at least see flashes of what they can do. If we look back to 2020’s biggest second-year breakouts, A.J. Brown, Terry McLaurin, Diontae Johnson, and DK Metcalf, they showed during their rookie seasons the potential to be studs.

Second, we want to avoid wide receivers in bad situations. Think about players like Mecole Hardman stuck behind Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. Or a player like Marquise Brown whose team just doesn’t throw enough to support a high-end fantasy player. 

So, which wide receivers fit these criteria for 2021?

 

Laviska Shenault Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars

There was a lot of hype for Shenault in 2020 but it never really panned out consistently. He did flash his upside at times, however. This may appear to be as bad a situation as you can get on a 1-15 team, but things should be far better in 2021. The Jaguars are likely getting a massive upgrade at quarterback in the draft, presumably with Trevor Lawrence, which is great for the entire passing attack. We saw what rookie quarterbacks like Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert did for their respective pass catchers, and there is little reason to think the same won’t happen for the Jaguars.

Another big benefit for Shenault in 2021 will be what looks like a much shallower depth chart at the wide receiver position for the Jaguars. Keelan Cole signed a one year deal in 2020 and likely won’t be back. Dede Westbrook and Chris Conley’s contracts are both up in 2020 as well. That will leave only Shenault, D.J. Chark and fellow rookie Collin Johnson on the depth chart. Shenault ranked second on the Jaguars in receptions with 52 and third in receiving yards with 532. Both of those figures should get big bumps in 2021 with less competition and better quarterback play.

 

Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos

Jeudy was one of my favorite receivers entering the 2020 NFL draft and I loved his landing spot. Unfortunately, Drew Lock regressed as a thrower in 2020 and Jeudy played through injuries for most of the year. Fortunately, however, this sets up a great potential second-year breakout for a player that most fantasy drafters will be low on. And let’s not forget the Broncos should have a healthy Courtland Sutton back in 2021 to help take the pressure off of Jeudy.

Jeudy is an elite route runner and despite a “down” rookie season, he still finished with 47 catches and over 700 yards. In fact, he led the Broncos in targets, air yards, and receiving yards. He was clearly the number one with Sutton out, and should slot in as the 1B to Sutton’s 1A in 2021. Don’t let people tell you that Jeudy wasn’t good in 2020 because as far as rookies go, he was, and 2021 should be even better.

 

Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers

Aiyuk battled injuries for a portion of the season, but once he got healthy he looked unstoppable. From Week 7 to Week 15 (seven games played), he had at least 73 yards and five receptions in all but one of them. He topped 100 yards twice during that stretch and also had four touchdowns. Head coach Kyle Shanahan found all sorts of creative ways to use him and that should continue into 2021.

The only downside for Aiyuk was the bulk of his production came without Deebo Samuel and George Kittle on the field. If we look at his Week 16 with a healthy Kittle, he had just one catch for 15 yards. That's a very small sample, but it's enough to warrant some caution. Still, it’s hard to envision he won’t be one of the focal points of this offense in 2021 and should return great value for fantasy drafters.

 

CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys

Lamb’s production was derailed by an injury to Dak Prescott but he still posted one of the best rookie seasons of 2020. In the five games Prescott played, Lamb had 29 receptions, 433 yards and two touchdowns. That’s a 16-game pace of 92/1,385/6. And despite playing with the likes of Andy Dalton, Ben DiNucci, and Garrett Gilbert the rest of the season, he still finished with a very respectable 69 catches, 892 yards and seven touchdowns. 

He was the clear number two behind Amari Cooper and is the perfect compliment out of the slot to Cooper on the outside. With a healthy Dak Prescott and a Dallas defense that is one of the worst in the NFL, there is little reason to think Lamb won’t perform even better in 2021. This is a team that will be playing from behind often, which means tons of pass attempts. Dallas threw at the 11th-highest rate in 2020. There will be plenty of opportunity for Lamb in 2021.

 

Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals

Higgins got off to a great start during his rookie campaign, but like Lamb, an injury to Joe Burrow slowed that down. Still, Higgins finished with 67 receptions, 908 yards and six touchdowns. That is very similar to what DK Metcalf did in 2019 (58, 900, 7). While Higgins isn’t quite the physical specimen Metcalf is, he’s not far off at 6’4” and 216 pounds. 

Despite Metcalf’s good rookie season, fantasy drafters weren’t completely sold. Let’s not forget Metcalf was a 5th or 6th round pick in most fantasy drafts, and it would not surprise me if that is where Higgins slotted in. And like Metcalf in 2020, Higgins could certainly top 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns and be a league winner for 2021 fantasy drafters. Especially with a fully healthy Burrow back under center. 



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Shea Langeliers

Hits Three-Run Homer In Return From IL Monday
Wilyer Abreu

Belts Grand Slam and Hits Inside-the-Park Home Run
Philadelphia 76ers

Trendon Watford Lands in Philadelphia
Jordan Clarkson

Expected to Sign With Knicks
Zack Wheeler

Tosses Eight Shutout Innings, Punches Out 10
Santi Aldama

Remains with Grizzlies
Atlanta Hawks

Nickeil Alexander-Walker Lands in Atlanta
George Springer

Exits Early Monday With Neck Injury
Jalen Ramsey

Could Move Around in Pittsburgh
Los Angeles Clippers

Brook Lopez Strikes Deal With Clippers
Jonnu Smith

to be Used in Hybrid Role
Terry McLaurin

Commanders, Terry McLaurin Not Close on Contract Extension
Hunter Goodman

Likely Headed to Injured List
Chicago Bulls

Tre Jones Remaining in Chicago
Michael Mayer

Raiders Not Interested in Trading Michael Mayer
Houston Rockets

Dorian Finney-Smith Signing With Rockets
Trent Grisham

Exits With Hamstring Tightness
Atlanta Hawks

Caris LeVert Joining Pistons
Milwaukee Bucks

Kevin Porter Jr., Bucks Reach Agreement on a New Contract
Brooklyn Nets

D'Angelo Russell Heading to Dallas
Denver Nuggets

Bruce Brown Jr. Heading Back to Denver
Atlanta Hawks

Clint Capela Returning to Houston
Cameron Johnson

Traded to Denver
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Signs Massive Extension
Michael Porter Jr.

Traded to Brooklyn
Matt Chapman

Could Return for Start of Giants Homestand
Wyatt Langford

Expected to Return on Saturday
Yanquiel Fernández

Yanquiel Fernandez Called Up to Majors
Tyler Mahle

Dealing With Rotator-Cuff Strain
Brooklyn Nets

Ziaire Williams Expected to Return to Nets
Austin Wells

to Miss Next Two Games
Tre Mann

Set to Become an Unrestricted Free Agent
Bo Bichette

Scratched With Sore Knee
Cody Martin

to Enter Free Agency
Los Angeles Clippers

Nicolas Batum Staying with Clippers
Jurickson Profar

to Return on Wednesday
Jordan Clarkson

Jazz Finalize Contract Buyout for Jordan Clarkson
Aldrich Potgieter

Wins Rocket Mortgage Classic
Thorbjorn Olesen

Finishes Tied for 41st at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Denny McCarthy

Finishes Tied For 12th at Travelers Championship
Chris Kirk

Finishes Tied For Second at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Michael Kim

Finishes Tied for 26th at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Max Homa

Misses Cut at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Lucas Glover

Finishes Tied For Ninth at Travelers Championship
PGA

Nico Echavarria Finishes Tied For Sixth at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Brooklyn Nets

Day'Ron Sharpe Staying with Nets
Colby Thomas

Called Up From Triple-A
Shea Langeliers

A's Reinstate Shea Langeliers From Injured List
Pittsburgh Steelers

Rumors Still Swirling Around Potential T.J. Watt Trade
Bryce Harper

Activated and Starting on Monday
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Lands on Injured List With Fractured Ribs
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Tyler Boyd

Interested in Playing for Steelers
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Now Looking to Acquire a Tight End
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
L'Jarius Sneed

Says he's Healthy
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Minkah Fitzpatrick

Heading Back to Miami
Jonnu Smith

Shipped to Pittsburgh
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Jalen Ramsey

Steelers Acquiring Jalen Ramsey
Kerry Carpenter

Leaves Game with Apparent Hamstring Injury
Jonas Brodin

Expected to Miss Start of Next Season
TB

Conor Sheary Placed on Waivers for Contract Termination
Dante Fabbro

Stays with Blue Jackets on Four-Year Deal
Joel Hofer

Commits to Blues for Two More Years
Kevin Bahl

Signs Long-Term Extension with Flames
Oneil Cruz

Smacks Two Homers
Jordan Spence

Traded to Ottawa
Petr Mrazek

Heads to Anaheim
John Gibson

Red Wings Acquire John Gibson
Matthew Knies

Inks Six-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Aaron Judge

Blasts Two Homers, Dealing With Back Issue
Claude Giroux

Signs One-Year Deal with Senators
Yordan Alvarez

has Chance to Return Next Weekend
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
NFL

NFL Won't Hold Supplemental Draft This Year
Damon Arnette

Getting Second Chance With Texans
Deommodore Lenoir

Arrested for Obstruction of Justice
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Ty Dillon

Could Benefit from Kaulig Speed
Dylan Sampson

Being Used as a Receiver
Carson Schwesinger

Figures to be in Full-Time Role in 2025
Cedric Tillman

Should Have Full-Time Role
Bryce Young

Looking More Comfortable, Showing More Intensity
Charlie Coyle

Blue Jackets Acquire Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood From Colorado
Jack Quinn

Signs Up for Two More Years with Sabres
Brandon Saad

Stays in Vegas on One-Year Deal
Trent Frederic

Inks Eight-Year Extension
Emil Heineman

Shipped to the Islanders
Noah Dobson

Traded to Montreal
John Tavares

Agrees to Four-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Sam Bennett

Signs Eight-Year Extension with Panthers
NYI

Islanders Select Matthew Schaefer With No. 1 Pick in NHL Draft
Aaron Rodgers

Roman Wilson Could Fit Nicely With Aaron Rodgers
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
Daniil Tarasov

Panthers Bring in Daniil Tarasov
Frederick Gaudreau

Kraken Pick Up Frederick Gaudreau From Wild
Michael Thorbjornsen

Returns in Detroit at Rocket Classic
Adam Hadwin

Could Struggle Over the Weekend in Detroit
Cam Davis

Hopes Detroit Magic Can Spark Turnaround
Matt Wallace

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Rocket Classic
Joel Dahmen

Not Cutting it Lately
Michael Kim

Searching for Spark at Rocket Classic
Rasmus Hojgaard

a High-Ceiling Play in Rocket Classic
Matt McCarty

a Wild Card Heading into Detroit
Emiliano Grillo

Rolling into the Summer Season
Rickie Fowler

Looking for More Magic at Rocket Classic
Wyndham Clark

Brings High Upside to Detroit Golf Club
Max Greyserman

Could Make Noise at Rocket Classic
Akshay Bhatia

a Strong Value Play at Rocket Classic
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF